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Neither of us had seen this film, and after the recent "Nashville" screening at The Paris Theater, and featuring both Karen Black and Barbara Harris, we were not about to miss the opportunity to see them in what turned out to be Hitchcock's final film.
It is not one of his best, but he does go out respectively. The blend of suspense and comedy did not work as well as in "Rear Window," but the actors did due diligence. And this was a good thing, because "plot" is what the film was short on, being very convoluted. But its trio--Karen Black, Bruce Dern, and Barbara Harris--worked like a family, matching every move for move. Plus, a bevy of familiar character actors--like Edith Atwater, from "Strait-Jacket'-- were on hand to liven up things.
Unquestionably, Barbara Harris steals the show! Are you surprised, darlings?????? I could not determine whether she was a medium, a psychic, or both, but it hardly matters when she is on the screen, because one cannot take one's eyes off her. What a gifted actress she was, and what a career she could have had, if only she didn't suffer from emotional problems.
But when a director was able to reel her in, the result was acting magic.
I am so glad we saw "Family Plot," girls!!!!!!!!!! For those who never have seen it, watch out; you may not get another opportunity to view it, since showings seem to be so infrequent. Copyright issues, maybe??????????????
Girls, you will come out of this film wanting to plot something yourselves!!!!!!!!!!!
2 comments:
oh no, Barbara Harris had emotional issues?
I just assumed she was good at playing eccentric characters.
what was going on in her life, do you know??
Victoria, She did have issues. The famous story is when she was doing 'On A Clear Day' on Broadway. It was a matinee. She finished one number, exited the stage--and kept on walking to the stage door and out of the theater. The understudy had to go on right away. But Harris did turn up for the evening performance.
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